Level winding device



1949- A. J. FARRAR LEVEL WINDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1944 INVHVI'OK AL'v/N J. FAKIEAR 3 1 Jan. 4, 1949. A. J. FARRAR 2,458,065

LEVEL WINDING DEVICE Filed June 22, 1944 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 7 7 I fay/a 2e 1 3 v BY. 78

6 7f 7 I I w w 32 J INVENTOR. Hun/v J. FAEEAE firm 205w Jan. 4, 1949.

A. J. FARRAR LEVEL WINDING DEVICE 5 She'ets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22, 1944 Fla.

A INVENTOR. Azw/v J 'FARR'AE linmvlyl 1949- A. J. FARRAR LEVEL WINDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 22, 1944 v INVENTOR. ALw/v J. FAREAE manna:

1949- A. J. FARRAR LEVEL WINDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 22. 1944 INVENTOR. A1. w/v JYFAEEAR duiz amwzidm lrrmeneau' Patented Jan. 4,

Alvin J. Farrar, Cleveland, Ohio, assignorto The American Coach & Body: Company, Cleveland,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohiow Application June 22, 1944, Serial No. 541.591 y This invention relates to cable winches and particularly to a level winding device therefor.

One of the problems in the operation of'a cable winch has been the attainment of a level winding of the cable 011 the drums especially whenever the load pulls the cable at an angle obliquely to axis of the drum. Suchconditions occur regularly in the operation of winches that are used for loadingships, and also occur in the operation of a winch that is used on' public utility equipment. 'Under such conditions, the cable has a tendency to pile up at one end of the drum,and efforts by the operator to relieve such condition have often resulted in serious injury to the hands.

A further difficulty presented by the problem is the fact that any level winding device under consideration must not only be capable of withstanding severe lateral stress, but also mustbe capable of manipulation so as to permit the cable to be payed out freely Whenever desired, and

must be capable of automatic operation regardless or the direction of rotation of the drum.

An object of the present invention is to make a level winding device that is suitable for use on cable winches, which will overcome the dinicultiesabove enumerated and will be capable of application to existingwinches, as well as to form part of original winch equipment. The invention contemplates a device which will be sturdy in construction, compact in size, and be effective in operation regardless of either the position of the cable with respect to the drum of rotation ofthe drum.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 isa front view of a cable winding winch having a level winding device embodying my invention thereon; Fig.2 is an end view of the structure as shown infFig." 1;! Figs. 3 and 4 are sections taken on the'coireor of the direction end in framemembers I3 that are supported on stringers 14, which in turn areafiixed to any desired supporting surface. For effecting a driving connection between the drum and shaft, I have which i 'shown a fluid pressure actuated clutch includes an expandible member [5 that is carried by a drum IS on the shaft and that is adapted to bear against a concentric flange "on one end of the drum. Fluid underpressure may be led into the eXpan'dible member through a conduit l8 whichextends outwardly from the shaft H to a connection; indicated ingeheral at l9, to which air under pressure may be led into the conduit from a source of fluid pressure supply through a conduit 20.

The present invention isconcerned primarily with 'alevel winding device for a cable indicated at 2| on the drum. 7 The device includes afcable guide 22 which is shown as having a fair-lead 23 that is universally movable within the guide, as

by a ball and socket connection therewith. Pro 3' vision is made for movement of the guide in a direction circumferentially oi'the drum, and outside the confines of the end flanges thereof, and

25' 'to this end is provided withfianged wheels 25 spondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the lines 55 '|1 in Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is the fluid pressure operated clutch mechanism, together with the mechanical drive mechanism and ilustrating alsothe fluid pressure control valve; and Fig. 9 isa diagram illustrated in sectional view to tionofthe driving mechanism. A

I have shown a winch to which my invention is applied as having a drum 10, which is loosely mounted for rotation on a drive shaft ll thatis rotated by a source of power, indicated in general as'a gear box l2: Theshaft may be journallecl atone end in the gear boxand at the other in Fig. 3; Fig. .6 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the line 6+5 in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line which are adapted to travel along atrack provided by parallel curvedbars 2 6 and 21, eachof which has one end thereof rigidly attached to a head 28 at the front of the winch, and has the opposite endthereof rigidly attached to a head 29 at the rearwardportion of the drum. The front head is supported for traversin movement along a threadedshaft 30, while the rearward head is supported for traversing movement along a "threaded shaft 3| and the shafts in turn are journalled in bearings that are carried by frame members 32 and33 respectively. These frame members may be rigidly attached to the webs of the stringers l4 and may be disposed adjacent k the front and rearward portions of the drum respectively. The head-s 28and 29, and the connesting bars" 26 and 21 thus provide a carriage which' isadaptedto traverse the drum and to support the'cable guide which is free to move along the bars of the track in accordance with thedirection of pull on the'cable.

The carria'geis intendedto be propelled axially of the drurn by a rotation of the shaft 30 and 35, but provision is also made for disengaging the 1 driving connection so as to permit the cable to be payed out freely. Accordingly; I provide be tween the screw shafts and the carriage heads,

detachable connectionswhich may take the form of a partial nut 35 rigid with each head and an *eccentric unthreaded bushing awn each head which slidingly supports the carriage on the associated screw shaft; the arrangement being such that whenever the bushing is turned in one direction withrelation to the associated head, the nut carried by the head will engage the thread on the associated shaft, and when turned in the opposite direction the nut will disengage the thread on t'heshaf-t; Simultaneous operation-of the nuts .with 'res'pect to the associated shafts may be obtained by means of a chain 36 which extends around sprocket wheels 31 and 38 on the;

respective bushings and which is adaptedto, be

actuated by rotation of a sprocket wheel 39 which is disposed between the aforesaid sprocket wheels,

and which is journalled for rotationon the guide bar 21. manually rotated for effecting movement of the chain and thereby simultaneously rotating the eccentric bushing in each head sufficiently tov disengage the threads on the screw shafts and nuts, .or tobring them into-engagementwith each other, as desired; The lowerreach of the chain is caused to follow the generalcontour of the rod intermediately at l8 (Fig. 2) to a bracket 19 that A lever 40 enables the wheel 39 to beprojectslaterally from one of the frame members 32; the arrangement being such that whenever one bar is moved axially in one direction, the :other is'moved correspondingly in the opposite direction,

Each shipper'rod carries stops indicated at 80,

- 8l,'82, and '83, which are adapted to be engaged 2? by means of a guide plate 4! that is attached thereto. I

To drive the level winding shafts and 3| in unison with the rotation-of. the drum, I. provide mechanism. for effecting a driving connection with the shaft H. and in one form such mech, anism includes level. winding clutch means operable for simultaneous actuation with the clutch l5. Such mechanism 'may include achain 5 which extendstaround a sprocket, wheel 51 that t is rigid withthe shaft H, and around a sprocket;

wheel 52 that is rigid withone member 53 oflla pneumatic clutch, The other .member of the clutch comprises an expandible member 54 which I is rigidly carried bythe clutch member 55, which in turn is afiiXed .to-an extension 56;,of theshaft 30., Fluid under.,.pressure may be conducted to the-egmandible member 54 through they conduit.

5l, the. connection 58, and the conduit 59, from a suitable source of supply.

To rotate the shaft 3! at the same rate of speed a as; the shaft 30, a chain 60. interconnects them by extending around sprocket wheels BI and 62 v on theshafts wand 3;! respectively. Thus, when- X ever the clutch controlled by theexpandible member 5415 engaged, the shafts 30 and 3| are rotated inthesame direction, ;and since they are threaded;

in the same directiomthe cableguide carriage is caused to traverse the drum.

To obtain a reversal of directionofz-rotationvof the shafts 30 and M, I providemechanism for; disengaging the clutch controlled by the expandible member 54 and for engaging a second clutch con trolled in general at 65, for operating a reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism, includes a jackshaft 66 which is directly geared to the shaft 3| by gears 51 and G8,.andwhich is dournailed in one of the frame members 33, and an extension 33a of such member. The driven member of the clutch is rigid with the-jack st rt,

but the driving member thereof is loosely mounted on the shaft and the two members are adapted to be brought into driving engagementby means of an expandible member through an air connection [0, similar to that described in connection with the expandible member 54. The driving member of the clutch has a driving connection with the shaft H by means of a chain 'H' which extends around, a sprocket wheel I2 on the jack shaft, and a sprocket wheel 13 on the shaft 1 I. By virtue of the interposed gear connections .61 and 68, the shafts 30 and 3 l are rotated in a direc shipwith one-shipper-rod andto-move-intjo coast;

by..a .finger that depends from the carriage head 28. The finger is mounted for pivotal movement with respect. to the head, and extends downwardly between: the shipper bars and ishnet/ti led with notche d oper lin'gs 86 and 8] forengaging the-respective shipper bars, as desiredin .acco ff rl ance with. the direction of rotation of the diguin as will-hereinafter be set. forth.

Movement .otfthe shipper rod 15 isIuliiliied-[fois actuating avalve 88 by means i of Which.-.-fluid under pressure may be directed for. 'simultaneouslvefiecting engagement of one of thewlevel winding clutches, and disengagement of the other.

The mechanism shown for actuating the-valve may comprise a link 89; one end. of, which- ,is pivotally connected to one end. of the shipper 5, rod and the other end of which-is piuotally connected. tosone valve rod9ll whichproiects1.

fr om -the end ef the; valve casing; :88. i The link in turn is .pivotally mounted at a pointintermedi ateits ends on a bracket 9i that is carriedby one'of the frame members 32. Thus,;whenever;

either shipper. rod is moved sufficientlyin a direc-f tion extending-axially; thereof, the level winding clutch control -.valve is actuated, resulting in a reversal of rotation of the level winding screw beingisuoh that the finger -.85;is automatically shifted from one rod to the 'other in theevent:

of reversal -of the drum, while the cable carriage is d sposedintermediate-the ends-0t the drum, The mechanism for shifting. the finger Bifrom one shipper rod to-another may comprise a, yoke 92. Whichiis adapted to straddle: a pin -9 i that pro.-

jectstlaterally from an arm '94, which-inturnwis shown assbeing rigid with a. rock shaft ;;t-hat forms the pivotal ;GOl'lI1e0tlOn?fQI thefinger 85. to the head -28". The rock shaft 95is .also,j ournalledin the frame :members 13.2, -nd is shown asprofleeting beyond. one endthereofand as.having the soniatfid'head 2dt -moveout ofycoacting relatiom ing relationship withthe; othershipper rod,

The axiahshiftingmf theshippe-r rods is oeca sinned as aforesaid by en agement of thegflnger Biwith qany one of the .limit stops 80;;81, ;.82-. tor 3..'dependin g; p0n the direction of .mtationlof thev drum at any giventime, and upon,the direc-, 'tion ,of, travelof the cable guidathe-mechiibism ,.9 4-afiixed thereto on the outer side of onaOf the frame members? the arrangement; beingsuch that whenever the yoke isshifted back ,andforth, the shaft eiisrock he upon th fineerwiitzis caused to swing sufficiently with respect tozitsiase.

which project outwardly therefrom and which are disposed at equal radial distances from the axis of the drum. The purposeof the pins is to engage either a stop member I or IOI, depending upon the direction of drum rotation, and therei by to eifect a shifting of the bar 96, and consequently a shifting of the yoke 92 to effect ultimately a shifting of the finger 85, as aforesaid. The stop members are so mounted on the bar that each yields with respect to the barto permit pas- 1 sage of the pins in one direction, but is unyield-' 1 ing with respect to the bar when engaged by the pinsmoving in the opposite direction.

In the preferred arrangement, the stop construction associated with the shifter bar 96 uti bar 96, whereas the other stop member is engaged by the nearest pin, and since the member is unyielding in such direction, it causes the shipper rod to be shifted until the pin clears the stop member. Upon reversal of the drum rotation, however, the first stop member to be engaged by the pins yield, whereas the second member is engaged-by the first pin and as a result the shipper rod moves in a reverse direction to the desired degree. i

The necessity for reversing the drum at any point at which the cable is leaving the drum; makes it necessary to utilize two shipper rods for controlling the valve that operates the level winding clutches, because after the valve has been set by movement of a shipper rod in one direction, the reversal of the direction of movement of the cable guide would, if only one shipper rod were utilized, be ineffective to reverse the direction of rotation of thelevel winding shaft. By shifting the finger, however, from one shipper rod tothe other automatically consequent upon reversal of direction of drum rotation, then the finger 85, upon reversal of the level winding shaft, would cause the finger to engage a limit stop that is nearer to it than that on the adjacent shipper rod which previously had been moved by the finger. Thus, if the finger 85 had moved the stop 80 toward the left in Fig. 1, resulting in a concurrent movement ofthe stop 82 toward the right, and if the direction of drum rotation is reversed before the finger reaches the stop 8|, the finger 05 would be shifted from coaction with the shipper rod I5 tothe rod I5, where it is in position toengagethe stop 82, instead of the stop 80, as it again approaches the same end of the drum. Unless the finger transfer is made, the valve 38 would not be actuated upon the return movement of the cable guide.

To efiect a quick simultaneous action of the level winding clutches, I utilize a mechanism which results in a snap action being imparted to th'evalve rod 90, and I accomplish such movement by providing a spring I03 behind each stop member 89, iii, 82, and 83, by abutting the end of each spring remote from the stop against the shoulder I04 that is rigidly fixed to the associated shipper rod. Thus, each stop member is yielda'ble withrespe'ct to the associatedrod until the associated spring is compressed, at which time the force exerted by movement of the finger 85 thereagainst operates'to shift the rod. Io prevent movement of the shipper rod until the spring I03 is adequately loaded and thereby to effect the desired snap action, I have shown a yieldable restraining device in the form of a pair of spring pressed balls I05 that are adapted to engage re spective notches I06 or I0'I in a sleeve I30 secured to the shipper rods by a pin I3I. I have shown two springpressed balls, one on each of the opposed sides of the shipper rod and as being mounted in tubes -.I08 that are carried by a hub I09 which projects laterally from one of the frames 32; The loading on the springs for the balls I05 is such that movement of the shipper bar is resisted until the spring I03 is loaded sufficiently to impart the desired snap action to the valve rod 90. A shifting of such rod operates to control the flow of airunder pressure to disengage one of the level winding clutches and to engage the other. i

To assure proper actuation of the level winding feature whenever the cable is immediately adiacent one of the end flanges on the drum, notwithstanding the fact that the direction of rotation of the drum may be reversed within a few turns of the cable adjacent the flange, I have shown the stop members to 82, inclusive, as having a cam finger engaging surface I20 thereon, and I have shown the finger as having a surface for coacting with each surface I 20, whereby a fine degree of control may be obtained in the critical region adjacent each end of the drum.

A diagrammatic view of a piping arrangement for operating the pneumatic clutch is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein apump P delivers air under pressure to a storage tank I I0. A manually operated master valve for controlling all of the clutchesisindicated at I I I, while a valve for controlling the drum clutch is indicated at I I2. Suitable piping, as shown, conducts air under pressure to the reversin valve 88 which is illustrated ashaving upper and lower chambers separated by a partition 88A. The piping system is provided with exhaust vents IIIA, II2A, 88B; and 88C to facilitate release of the clutches.

In the modification of Fig. 9, thelevel winding apparatus is the same except for the fact that the drive for the screw shafts 30 and M is taken directly from the drum instead offrom the shaft I I. For accomplishing such purpose, the drum has, an extension sleeve I15 which may carry sprockets EIA and 13a which are directly connected by chainsSOA and HA to the sprocket wheels 52 ,and 12 in thesame manner as that described in connection with the chains 5 land I3.

An advantage of the present invention is the flexibility afforded in the operation of the level winding device insofar as concerns the resistance to excessive lateral thrust and regardless of the direction of rotation of the drum. The fact that the cable guide can be manually disconnected from the level winding screw shafts without releasing the: pull on the .cable enables the guide to be kept directly in line with the cable, notwithstanding the tendency of the guide to shift gradually from such position as the length of cable on each turn varies from one layer to another.

The invention isfurther advantageous in that it may be readilyadapted to existing Winch equipment without extensive changes in the construction'thereof, and inthat it is likewise adapted for installation. ion original equipment without "materially:increasing the overallldimensions of 7 the unit. The device eliminatesall dan erof; ac: cidents heretofore inherent in the Qnerationora drum, and by utilizin pneumatic clut; es, the device enables the level winder to be reversed quickly and accurately to assure adequate level merit along the drum, a cable guide supported on the carriage and movable with relation thereto, means including two pnuematic clutches for operating the screw shafts in timed relationship to the drum, and mechanism actuatedby traverse.

ing movement of the carriage for disengaging. one

of said clutches and engaging another to effect reversal of rotation of the screw shafts at a predetermined point in the traversing movement of the carriage.

2. A level Winding device for a cable receiving drum, including a cable guide-,means includinga pair of screw shafts and a carriage spannin the space therebetween for mounting the guide for traversing movement with respect to the drum, mechanism for automaticallyreversing the direction of movement of the cable guide-consequent either upon the change in direction of rotation of the drum, or upon theguide reaching a pree determined point in the traversing movement, said mechanism including two fluid pressure actuated clutches, and including means for en-v gaging one clutch and simultaneously disengaging another, whereby the direction of traversing a cable receiving drum, comp sin anair of spaced. level winding movement of the guide is eifected when theguide reaches either end of the drum. 7

3, A level winding device for a cable receiving drum comprising a cable guide mounted for traversing and circumferential movement with respect to the drum, means for effecting traverst e spe t ve .s oe de, h drum hav n ing movement of the guide Whenever the drum is opera-ted, said means includinga detachable con nection for permitting the guide to run freely of the traversing means, mechanism for automatically reversing the traversing direction of the guide, said reversing means including two pneumatic clutches, and mechanism for-automatically disengaging one clutch and engaging the other whenever the guide reaches a predetermined point adjacent either end of the drum.

l. A level winding device for a cable receiving drum including a cable guide mounted for traversing movement along the drum, means forv efiecting the traversing movement and including two clutches, one of said clutches operating to drive the guide in one direction and the other operating to drive it in the opposite direction, a.

pair of shiftable bars each having abutment means thereon operable to effect engagement of one of said clutches and disengagement of the other, a member carried by the guide and shifteifecting reversal of the direction of travel of the guide Whenever it reaches apredetermined point adjacent each end of the drum, said means ins.

eluding a membermovable withthe uide and shit-table respect thereto, mechanism-inn eluding: a part; oarr edbv the rumv or shiftin id, "m mber upon r versal or the. directi n of otat on of.) sai a d means opera n :to

.icauseaut-or atio reversal i trav rsme movement of the go e, notwithstanding reversal. of; direction of rotation of the before theguide r aches. he. end thereof towa d w ich it was advancin .A level. windinedev ee for a..- able receivin rew; shaf afmeans for rotatin the shafts-.111 unison Wi h be drum; a. carria e support 1 on he. resreotive shafts, se ond carria e tr verse A ins. the first car i geland. havin a. cablerguide mounted for un versal; moveme t. therein, means iectine driving conne tio between he first me c r a e and, th sp ctive-sc w shafts; aid. las rnam means. includin a pair of-nilt;

m m er adapted tone. moved intQ amlvout of nga ement ith th spective cr w shafts, means ,for s mult n ousl m ing the members W tlrr sp to-thescrew shafts, sa d-fir trna Ned ean in lu in t o c ut hes, and, mean .-.for-

opera n o utch to the exclusion of the other.

7. A- level windi devic for a cable re e v n a linger mounted for pivotal movement with; re

sheet toh s id and d sposed be ween; the r and-ha n tc d portion a apted to re eive oulde th r on, mean nsaee b e by the .shoulderior swinging/the finger out of coac on th; on h p od a nt eo et eo w th the h r imit s ops n the, resp ctive sh pper re s dapt t be en a e y sa finger,- nd ans ope ble-u on ov men o either pper. rod

1 to .effieot r e a o r ve sin mo em nt ofthe.

uide.

8;. a e el win gdev oe o a. .cable rec i ing d u omp s n a ca e u de means .eunn rt: in the gui or ave s ng ent, along the drum, means for reversing the direction of travsms m v ment of. th ieuid whe e er t e uide reaches, a pred t d p int ad ac nt ea h endpf the-drum, said means including a slide bar having a; pair of stepgmembers yieldably mounted i thereon, and a projection mounted on the drum and adapted to engagethe stop members so asto shift the bar-Whenever the direction of rotation of the-drum is reversed.

94A. level winding device fora cable receiving isen ag ng one clutch an imultan e gaging the other or engagingthe said one clutch and 'simultaneously disengaging the said other to effect reversal of directional movement of the guide atapredetermined point in the traversing movement thereof, and means responsive to thev direction of rotation of thedrum for selecting one or the. other fthe clut h en a m nts.

10. A 1e.ve1 windi d vi f a ab ere e vin drumycomprisine' a; screw shaft ext nd n par:

.allel: to the aide f thedrumra eableeuidaa pare tial nut carried by said guide and adapted to engage the shaft, an eccentric bushing slidable on the shaft and rotatably carried by the guide, said bushing having an annularly incomplete portion extending longitudinally across the nut with clearance between them, and means for turning the bushing with respect to the guide to efiect disengagement of the nut with the shaft.

11. A level winding device for a cable receiving drum comprising a pair of screw shafts, a cable guide thereon rigidly carrying a pair of partial nuts to coact respectively with the shafts, a rotatable device at each screw shaft to lift the nut free from the shaft, and mechanism connecting the two devices for simultaneous rotation.

ALVIN J. FARRAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 490,984 Pine Jan. 31, 1893 498,655 Ivens May 30, 1893 499,934 Pine June 20, 1893 1,038,800 Tallon Sept. 17, 1912 1,286,964 Elia Dec.. 10, 1918 1,941,250 Dale Dec. 26, 1933 2,348,987 Lock May 16, 1944 

